Key to my success is my consistency: Shikhar Dhawan

New Delhi: Consistency has always been a problem with Shikhar Dhawan since his first-class debut back in 2004 but after his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad, the Delhi left-hander is determined not to let this chance go to waste.

"I can't blame anyone for not being able to cement my place in the India squad when I was touring West Indies last year. I wasn`t consistent enough and that's why couldn't play more than five ODIs. I guess, it's all in the mind and I am not going to let this opportunity go," the 27-year-old said.

Dhawan has played five ODIs scoring 69 runs with a half century that came in the West Indies.

Dhawan doesn't want to waste this opportunity. AFP

"No excuses for not delivering but pitches in West Indies were extremely slow and the ball wasn't coming onto the bat. I should have scored more runs," Dhawan, who has scored 5679 runs in 81 first-class matches, said.

However, he said that he was expecting a call-up having scored four first-class centuries in his 833 runs this season.

"While going into the Irani Cup, I didn't want to think about selection as I had done in some earlier occasions while playing these kind of games before a team selection.

"I batted freely and should have got a century. But the key to my success this season is my consistency. I have not thrown away after getting into the 30's and 40's."

Dhawan feels that his unbeaten century (110 not out) against England in a practice game also helped his case.

"If you score runs against an international attack, the self belief automatically increases. I didn't face problems facing Steven Finn, Jade Dernbach, Stuart Meaker or James Tredwell. That innings also boosted my confidence a great deal."

During the 2010-11 season, Dhawan had played an irresponsible shot as Delhi were chasing a meagre 136 against Railways at Roshnara Club ground and the hosts lost that match.

"I had never faced such criticism as I did after that game. But that dismissal did change my approach towards batting. Therefore it was very satisfying when I anchored the 270-run chase against Maharashtra. I know my game better," the Delhi captain said.

A lot of Dhawan`s contemporaries like Suresh Raina have established themselves in one form of the game but the left-hander doesn`t have any regrets.

"I have been playing for India 'A' for the past six-seven years but I knew that the senior team was performing brilliantly. If your main team is doing well, you need to learn to wait and I was precisely doing that."